Elon Musk bet it all on a judicial election in Wisconsin. He just lost in 2025.
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Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, is not only known for his groundbreaking ventures in space, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence, but also for his outspoken and sometimes controversial involvement in political and social issues. While Musk has previously engaged in high-profile political debates and endorsed various candidates, his recent involvement in the 2023 judicial election in Wisconsin marked a significant departure from his usual business-centric focus. In this instance, Musk appeared to bet it all on a key judicial race in Wisconsin, backing a conservative candidate who aligned with his views on issues such as abortion rights, voting laws, and the balance of power in the courts. However, in an unexpected twist, Musk’s candidate lost in a race that garnered nationwide attention for its political and cultural stakes.
The Background of the Wisconsin Judicial Election Elon Musk bet
Judicial elections, particularly those for state supreme courts, often don’t receive the same level of attention as presidential or congressional races. However, in 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election became one of the most important political contests in the United States. The state’s Supreme Court had a crucial role in determining the future of abortion rights, gerrymandering, and other contentious issues that had been divisive for years. At the center of this battle was the election of a new justice to the seven-member court, a seat that could shift the court’s ideological balance.
In the years leading up to the election, Wisconsin had become a focal point in the national debate over abortion rights, following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The state’s 1849 law banning abortion had been on hold for years, but the issue was expected to come before the state’s highest court soon. With a conservative majority at stake, both national and state-level political actors had a significant interest in the outcome.
The race ultimately boiled down to two candidates: Daniel Kelly, a former justice with strong conservative ties, and Janet Protasiewicz, a liberal judge who promised to protect abortion rights and take a stand against gerrymandering, which had heavily benefited Republicans in the state. Musk, who had previously voiced concerns about the overreach of the judicial system and had been vocal about his desire for a political system that favored individual liberty, became an active supporter of Kelly’s campaign.
Elon Musk’s Political Involvement Elon Musk bet
Musk’s involvement in politics had often been seen through the lens of his personal interests, particularly in relation to free speech, technology, and his conservative-leaning stances on some issues. Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) had intensified his focus on political discourse, especially around topics like censorship, media bias, and the regulation of social platforms. His views on the role of government and courts in regulating technology, free speech, and individual rights aligned more with conservative ideologies, which led him to support candidates who echoed those beliefs.
For the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Musk’s involvement was rooted in his belief that the court’s ideological makeup was critical to shaping the state’s policies, particularly on abortion rights and the political system at large. Musk, a staunch critic of government intervention and progressive social policies, saw the outcome of this election as a pivotal moment in determining the future direction of Wisconsin’s political landscape.
Musk’s endorsement of Kelly was a notable move, as it represented his deepening commitment to influencing the political process at a local level. Kelly, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, had been a part of controversial decisions that had drawn praise from conservatives but criticism from liberals, particularly for his rulings on gerrymandering and voting rights. Musk believed that a conservative court would help preserve the balance of power and prevent what he viewed as an overreach by liberal activists in the legal system.
The High Stakes of the Election Elon Musk bet
The 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race was not only about who would occupy a seat on the state’s highest court—it was also about the future of the state’s political landscape. Wisconsin had long been a swing state, pivotal in national elections, and its state-level judicial decisions had far-reaching implications. The results of this election were expected to have a major impact on a number of high-stakes issues, including:
- Abortion Rights: Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the fate of abortion rights in Wisconsin became a central issue. Protasiewicz, who was a strong advocate for reproductive rights, promised to challenge the state’s 1849 abortion ban, which had been a point of contention in the state legislature. Kelly, on the other hand, had a history of ruling in favor of conservative policies, including support for the state’s restrictive abortion laws.
- Gerrymandering: Wisconsin had one of the most gerrymandered electoral maps in the country, which heavily favored Republicans. Protasiewicz promised to bring fairer district maps to the state, while Kelly’s camp feared that such reforms would benefit Democrats and undermine Republican dominance in the state legislature.
- Voting Rights: Voting laws had also been a point of contention in Wisconsin, with Republicans pushing for tighter restrictions on voting access, while Democrats argued for expanded access. A conservative court would likely favor restrictions on voting, while a liberal court might seek to expand voting rights.
For Musk, the outcome of the election was more than just a local issue—it was about defending what he viewed as fundamental principles of governance. By endorsing Kelly, Musk was staking a claim in the political battle over the future of the state and, by extension, the nation. The race, which saw massive spending on both sides, became a proxy war for larger cultural and political battles.
Musk’s Investment in the Race Elon Musk bet
Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race was not just a matter of a public endorsement. The tech mogul put his money where his mouth was, contributing significant financial support to Kelly’s campaign. Through donations and fundraising efforts, Musk helped amplify Kelly’s message, ensuring that the race garnered national attention. Musk also used his social media platform, Twitter (now X), to advocate for Kelly, posting messages that urged voters to support him and highlighting what he saw as the dangers of a liberal-leaning court.
This level of involvement from Musk was a clear signal that he viewed the outcome of the race as crucial, not just for Wisconsin, but for the broader political landscape. Musk’s investment in Kelly’s campaign was part of a larger effort to influence the judicial system and ensure that conservative values would hold sway in the state’s legal battles. Musk’s backing of Kelly, however, was not without controversy. Many viewed Musk’s intervention in local politics as an example of billionaires wielding undue influence in democratic processes.
The Unexpected Outcome: Musk’s Candidate Loses Elon Musk bet
Despite Musk’s extensive involvement, the election did not go in his favor. Janet Protasiewicz, the liberal candidate, won the race by a significant margin. The results sent shockwaves through the political establishment, as Wisconsin’s Supreme Court would now tilt in favor of liberal ideologies. Protasiewicz’s victory was seen as a major win for abortion rights advocates and progressive voters, as it signaled that the court would likely overturn the state’s abortion ban and address gerrymandering.
Musk’s loss in the Wisconsin judicial election marked a setback in his efforts to influence local politics. His significant financial contributions and vocal public support had failed to sway voters in the way he had hoped. The defeat raised questions about the effectiveness of Musk’s approach to political involvement, particularly when it came to high-stakes judicial races. While Musk had been able to shape political discourse on a national level, his personal investment in this state-level race underscored the limits of his influence.
The Aftermath: What Musk’s Loss Means Elon Musk bet
Musk’s loss in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election has several broader implications. First, it highlights the growing role of billionaires in American politics and the potential consequences of their deep financial involvement. Musk’s ability to shape elections through his wealth and social media platforms is a testament to the power that tech moguls and wealthy individuals hold in modern politics. However, the outcome also shows that even with vast resources, political outcomes are not always predictable.
Additionally, Musk’s defeat in Wisconsin may signal a shift in how conservatives and liberal activists approach state-level elections. While national elections often dominate the political conversation, state judicial races are increasingly seen as battlegrounds for shaping the future of the nation. Musk’s involvement in Wisconsin’s judicial election could be seen as an early attempt to build a political legacy beyond his business ventures, but the results demonstrate the unpredictable nature of the American political system.
Conclusion Elon Musk bet
Elon Musk’s bet on the Wisconsin judicial election may not have paid off, but his involvement in the race underscored the growing intersection of business, technology, and politics in the United States. Musk’s influence as a public figure and financial backer had the potential to shape the state’s political future, but ultimately, his candidate lost. This defeat raises important questions about the role of wealth and social media in modern elections and whether figures like Musk will be able to replicate their success in the political arena, especially when the stakes are high. While Musk’s political journey may have hit a setback, his continued involvement in public life suggests that this is just one chapter in his ongoing influence on global affairs.
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